David Narkewicz
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – Voters in Northampton, Massachusetts who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and their allies will have an opportunity to get to know candidates Michael R. Bardsley and David J. Narkewicz, who are vying to become the city’s 44th mayor, at a forum at The State Room on Saturday, October 29, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The State Room is located in The Center at 35 State Street, Northampton. Leading up to the November 8 election, the forum will give the audience a chance to ask the candidates questions related to the Northampton LGBT community, social justice and civil rights, as well as more general topics involving the mayor’s office.
The candidates will introduce themselves and share their views on local and regional social justice and civil rights issues. Each candidate will then take questions directly from audience members who will line up to ask one question for response by both candidates.
Bet Power and Jean Savarese are the organizers of the event. Mr. Power, Executive Director and Curator of the Sexual Minorities Archives, a national collection of LGBT literature, history, and art located in Northampton, will moderate the forum. Jean Savarese is one of the co-founders of Out Books On Wheels, a volunteer effort helping LGBT elders to continue enjoying life out of the closet via a free LGBT mobile lending library and related services.
“The LGBT community is a significant voting bloc in Northampton,” said Bet Power. “We are organizing this forum so that the questions, concerns, hopes, and dreams of our sometimes overlooked group of citizens can be directly addressed.”
The Forum is generously sponsored by The State Room (www.35StateStreet.com). John Nuhn and Thom Herman welcome all to this lovely meeting space for a comfortable few hours with the candidates. Metered parking is available on the street across from 35 State Street.
Everyone is welcome.
For more information, please email betpower@yahoo.com or jsavarese@outbooksonwheels.org.
